The 10th Bro E.T. Dunne Inter School English Debate Competition, 2023
Highlights of the Interschool Debate Competition
Mount St. Mary’s School, Delhi Cantt. organised the 10th Bro E.T. Dunne Interschool English Debate Competition on 2nd December 2023. The theme was “Retelling and Adapting Fairy Tales in the 21st century.” The event brought together eloquent speakers from various reputed institutions of Delhi NCR, who delved into the magical world where fairy tales come to life through the power of debate. The debaters presented their arguments, defending and challenging the very essence of these treasured stories that have captured our hearts for generations. The competition featured passionate debaters engaging in thought-provoking discussions. They showcased their oratory skills and critical thinking abilities. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Mr. Atul Chandra Madhukar Kulkarni, Special Director General, National Investigation Agency, New Delhi.
The event comprised of two rounds – Debating round and Round Table Discussion. The topic for first round was, ‘Modern Fairy Tale Adaptations should stay true to the original Story’s Morals, Values and Culture.’ The debaters from participating schools demonstrated not only a deep understanding of the subject but also an ability to construct compelling arguments. The diversity of opinions added an enriching dimension to the competition. Top eight speakers of first round were shortlisted for the second round. The second round was a Round Table Group Discussion. Movie clips based on the modern adaptations of fairy tales were shown to the participants which was followed by a statement/question put up by the moderator as a point of discussion. A panel of seasoned judges evaluated the competition based on clarity of expression, logical reasoning, rebuttal skills, and overall presentation. The competition’s adherence to fair judgement ensured that the winners truly excelled in their ability to communicate and persuade.
The results of the event are as follows:
• Best Speaker (For the Motion): Laiba Shahid, Convent of Jesus and Mary
• Best Speaker (Against the Motion): Aanya Shanker, Convent of Jesus and Mary
• Best Interjector: Veer Ramchandani, Vasant Valley School
• The Most Eloquent Speaker: Samya Jayachandran, Sanskriti School
• The Most Promising Speaker: Aanya Shanker, Convent of Jesus and Mary
The Diamond Jubilee Rolling Trophy for the Best Team was awarded to Convent of Jesus and Mary.
Being the host school, Mount St. Mary’s participated but did not compete for any award. The performance of our own students, Mehak Arora and Bhavya Singh Dogra was exceptional. Their eloquence, well researched arguments and persuasive delivery brought them great acclaim and appreciation. The
interschool debate served as a platform for nurturing critical thinking skills, effective communication, and a spirit of healthy competition. As the event culminated, the echoes of well-articulated arguments lingered, leaving an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape of our school community.